<
https://mauinow.com/2025/12/27/giant-clams-thrive-in-american-samoa-under-indigenous-management/>
"Giant clam populations in American Sāmoa are far more stable and abundant than
previously thought thanks to the help of local villages, according to a new
study led by researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of
Marine Biology ToBo Lab.
The research found that marine areas managed by local villages consistently
supported higher clam densities and larger clam sizes compared to federally
designated no-take reserves.
“Many expected that giant clam populations would be in sharp decline,
especially near populated islands,” said Paolo Marra-Biggs, lead author of the
study and PhD student. “Instead, we found that clam abundances have remained
relatively stable over the past 30 years, and in some areas have maintained
high abundances. The biggest surprise was that village-managed closures
outperformed federally protected no-take areas, highlighting the efficacy of
cultural stewardship.”
The findings carry implications for conservation policy, particularly
concerning the current federal process to list giant clams under the
Endangered Species Act. The study argues that blanket federal restrictions
may not be the best fit for regions where effective Indigenous management
systems are already in place.
“The push for ESA listing is supposed to protect giant clams, but our data show
that in areas where federal no-take protection already exists, clams
populations were among the lowest,” said Robert Toonen, senior author of the
study and principal investigator of the ToBo Lab. “Instead, areas under
traditional Indigenous management had some of the highest densities of giant
clams. If giant clams were listed as endangered species, these traditional
practices that have maintained high clam densities in the region would become
illegal.”"
Via Frederick Wilson II.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
